Turks living in Germany are now also called upon to take part in the run-off election for the office of Turkish president. (Symbolic photo) © dpa
The presidential election in Turkey is also being followed with excitement among the people of Turkish origin – from very different perspectives.
Bad Tölz – Since Monday afternoon, it has been officially confirmed: In the race for the presidency in Turkey, incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan will have to face a run-off election against the opposition challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, on May 28. There are also supporters of both camps among Tölzers of Turkish origin.
Many Turks in Bad Tölz support Erdogan
In the Tölz mosque on Säggasse, "predominantly like-minded people" meet, namely supporters of Erdogan, reports the chairman of the mosque association, Memduh Killik. He can compare what it looked like in Turkey before Erdogan took office in 2002 and what has changed for the better since then, he says: "As far as health care, schools, hospitals and roads are concerned, for example, Erdogan has done a lot for Turkey," says Killik. In the event of a change of power, on the other hand, the Tölzer fears that "Turkey could break apart".
Killik rejects the often-voiced criticism that Turkey is developing in the direction of an autocracy under Erdogan. "Until 2002, women wearing headscarves could not attend school or university graduation ceremonies – but they can today," he says.
Former district council candidate wishes victory for Kilicdaroglu
Filiz Cetin, who is of Turkish origin from Tölz, takes a completely different view of the situation. In 2020, she ran for the SPD for the office of district administrator. From her point of view, the presidential election in Turkey is a "choice of hope". The politician sees a change of power as the only chance to "restore democratic structures in Turkey". Cetin would also like to see a victory for Kilicdaroglu for political prisoners in Turkey, such as the pro-Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas, who has been imprisoned for years. "It would be tragic if they missed their chance to get out of there alive."
In his own words, Cetin "strongly suspects" that the good result for the incumbent president was due to manipulation, as polls before the election had said something completely different. With a view to the run-off election, however, she says: "Hope dies last."
"There is freedom in Turkey"
Since Filiz Cetin is a German citizen, she cannot vote in the Turkish election. It's different with Döne Tasdelen, who was born in Tölz. In the first round of the presidential election, however, she did not make use of her right to vote, reports the multifaceted socially committed Tölzerin. "I didn't have a clear opinion this time," she explains. Turkey is going through difficult economic times and has just experienced a severe earthquake disaster. There is a lot in Turkish politics that she supports, "but if something doesn't work, you can say it." If she could wish for anything, it would be for Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu to agree on a "middle ground".
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Döne Tasdelen describes himself as a "liberal person" who wants "freedom for everyone". At the same time, she wants to make it clear: "There is freedom in Turkey, and it is a democratic country, even if it is often seen differently." In the run-off election, she will definitely choose one of the candidates and cast her vote.
Election campaign in Turkey did not cause controversy in Bad Tölz
Fatih Simsek comments diplomatically on the election. The Tölzer, who recently organized a Turkish-Bavarian fast-breaking in the parish hall at Schulgraben, was born in Turkey, but has had German citizenship since 2019 and therefore cannot vote. For him, the election proves "that there is a democracy in Turkey – thank God". In his view, the fact that the opposition did not win a majority is due to the fact that it "did a bad job" during the election campaign and did not address the issues that are important to the people. He respected the way the Turkish people had voted. And whoever wins the run-off election, "I wish them every success."
What the Turks from Tölz agree on: On the ground, the heated election campaign among them has caused discussions, but not disputes and tensions: "Everyone has their own opinion, and that is acceptable," says Killik.
You can find even more up-to-date news from the region at Merkur.de/Bad Tölz.